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To contact me, please click here: Rep.SusanMcLain@oregonlegislature.gov
Dear Neighbors and Community Members,
We’ve hit the ground running after the holiday season, with a week full of community outreach and significant developments. Major updates are emerging in our state discussion about a long-term solution for stable and sufficient transportation funding.
January Legislative Days are coming up next week, so I'll be heading to Salem for several very full days of committee meetings and policy discussions. We look forward to sharing updates and insights as this important work moves forward.
In this newsletter, you will find…
- My reflections on violence in Portland and Minneapolis
- An update on our transportation funding future
- What’s coming up during January Legislative Days
- Important updates about Highway 6
- How to provide feedback on TriMet’s proposed service cuts
 
I want to recognize the challenging moment we face. Shootings this week by federal agents in Portland and Minneapolis have shaken our community and nation. While details are still emerging and investigations remain underway, I am deeply disturbed by the pattern of escalating force from federal agencies in Oregon and around the country. My thoughts are with all those impacted by this violence and the fear it has caused.
I stand with our local and state leaders in ensuring the rights of Oregonians are protected. Governor Kotek and Attorney General Dan Rayfield have demanded transparency and accountability from our federal government. The Oregon Department of Justice has launched an investigation to examine whether any federal officer acted outside the scope of their lawful authority. We must all commit to responding to these difficult times peacefully and with care for one another.
It's Time for a Transportation Funding Reset
This week, Governor Tina Kotek shared an update at the Oregon Transportation Forum about the need for a new approach to solutions for our transportation funding shortfall. She called on us to “redirect, repeal, and rebuild.” For those who missed her announcement, here were the key takeaways:
- House Bill 3991, our special session bill, provided the tools to fill the current budget gap for state transportation and fund our cities, counties, & transit. These resources are now frozen due to a signature-gathering campaign to repeal portions of the bill.
- Underinvestment in our transportation system has put Oregonians' safety at risk and limited capacity to provide basic services:
- Dangerous intersections continue to hurt our communities
- Major projects have been delayed
- Trash and graffiti cover our highways
- DMV offices have closed
- Roads and bridges have failed with no reliable reopening timeline
- Transit routes face steep cuts
- Opponents of House Bill 3991 have been clear that we need to explore different pathways to meet our transportation funding needs.
For over two years, I have examined the challenges facing our state's transportation system and explored potential solutions. As Co-Chair of the Joint Transportation Committee, I toured the state and heard local perspectives in 13 communities across Oregon. From Portland and Bend to Coos Bay and Ontario, the message was clear: our communities deserve more. We need adequate transportation funding to ensure Oregonians can safely get where they need to go.
In the past three budget cycles, we have made cuts and implemented efficiencies in ODOT's budget. We cannot simply cut or redirect our way out of this crisis. We need short-term and long-term options that provide stable, sustainable, and diversified funding. It is past time for a revenue structure that keeps up with 21st century transportation needs.
We are willing to come back to the table and dive into hard conversations to reach a resolution. The Governor's office, policy leaders, and stakeholders are ready to get to work. I have called for a formal table set by the Governor to provide a unified message and direct our approach. We can learn from the foundational work accomplished in recent years to refine a new proposal.
Oregonians deeply value the roads and bridges that keep us connected. Abandoning maintenance and preservation of our most essential infrastructure is not an option. I'll be busy and committed to ensuring our communities know what's at stake and finding a path forward.
January Legislative Days Next Week
Next week, I'll return to Salem for our final set of committee meetings before the 2026 Short Session begins on February 2nd. To get a sense of the priorities and goals for each committee during the upcoming session, you can follow updates from our hearings on January 13-15th. Here is my committee schedule:
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House Committee on Transportation: Tuesday from 8:30-11:00 AM
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House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water: Tuesday from 11:30-2:00 PM
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Joint Ways and Means Education Subcommittee: Wednesday from 11:30-2:00 PM
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Joint Transportation Oversight Committee: Wednesday from 5:30-8:00 PM
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Joint Public Education Appropriations Committee: Thursday from 2:30-5:00 PM
Meetings are open to the public. If you are interested in tuning in remotely, check out the Oregon Legislative Information Service website to watch a livestream or view a recording.
 
Washington County Declares State of Emergency for Landslide on Highway 6
On Tuesday, January 6th, Washington County declared a state of emergency on Highway 6, due to the treacherous weather conditions impacting this route. These winter weather emergencies have hopefully focused us on the need to have a stable, well-funded, statewide, multimodal transportation system.
Highway 6, Highway 30, and Highway 101 in our Northern Coast and West Washington County area are extremely important to our economy and safety and to ensuring that communities are not isolated by weather or emergency events.
We have conducted studies on these very roads. Research on Highway 6, authorized under HB 4053 in the 2022 Legislative Session, was reported to the Joint Committee on Transportation in 2023. We know there is major work that must be done, and recent weather events have made that even more apparent.
Share Your Opinion on Proposed Cuts to TriMet Services
In light of a $300 million budget shortfall, TriMet has proposed significant service cuts. With rising costs and a gap in resources, TriMet has put forward a proposal that combines some bus lines and eliminates some routes entirely.
Though service cuts are a last resort, TriMet has voiced their plan to prioritize rider feedback. They are looking for opportunities to reduce any duplication of services and create a more efficient network.
It is important to ensure your voice is heard in this process. Take a moment to examine the proposed cuts and examine whether or not you are likely to be significantly affected.
TriMet is accepting feedback until the end of this month. Information on the needs of riders and the community help their team as they make adjustments.
Click here to access the TriMet survey.
Please see some of the proposed cuts to services in our region below:
North/ Northwest Portland
- Eliminate Line 16. Extend Frequent Service Line 15 to replace Line 16 between Sauvie Island, St. Johns and NW 44th/Yeon avenues only during high school and work commute hours.
- Eliminate Line 44 service between Pier Park and N. Richmond Avenue in St. Johns, with Frequent Service Line 75 buses continuing to serve that area.
Beaverton, Northwest Portland
- Extend Frequent Service Line 76 to replace Frequent Service Line 20 service between Beaverton Transit Center and Sunset Transit Center. Line 20 continues to run between Sunset and Gresham transit centers. Due to lower ridership, every other Line 20 bus runs between NW 24th Place and Sunset Transit Center, with buses arriving every 30 minutes.
Tigard/ Southwest Portland
- Eliminate Line 39. Extend Line 45 to replace Line 39 on SW Terwilliger Boulevard, SW Boones Ferry Road, SW Stephenson Street and SW 35th Avenue. Eliminate Line 45 service between Hillsdale and Downtown Portland and between Washington Square and Tigard Transit Center with other bus lines serving those areas. Eliminate Line 45 weekend service and reduce weekday trips to run only during high school commute hours. Line 43 continues to provide service between Barbur Transit Center and Marquam Hill, serving SW Spring Garden Street and SW Bertha Boulevard.
- Line 51, Vista/Sunset Blvd - Reduce trips to only high school commute times.
- Line 63, Washington Park/SW 6th - Reduce trips to only high school commute times.
Lake Oswego, Tigard, Tualatin, Sherwood, West Linn
- Eliminate Line 37. Move Line 96 off I-5 to replace Line 37 on SW Boones Ferry Road, serving the Barbur Transit Center via Mountain Park and PCC Sylvania. Adjust Line 96 to run only during morning and afternoon rush hours and serve limited stops between Barbur Transit Center and Downtown Portland.
- Shorten and adjust Line 38 to run between Tualatin Park & Ride and Barbur Transit Center. Eliminate service between McNary Parkway and Downtown Portland.
 
Northwest Regional Education Service District - Washington County Legislative Summit
I was glad to join fellow educators and legislators at NW Regional ESD for a discussion on Wednesday evening. We spoke about challenges and opportunities for our K-12 schools, and we engaged in a dialogue on education policy considerations in the 2026 Session. I appreciated the opportunity to connect our work in Salem to the needs and goals of our local educators.
Speaking to the Oregon Transportation Forum
It was great to join the Oregon Transportation Forum to speak about Oregon's transportation funding future with Sen. Khanh Pham and Rep. Mark Gamba. I also had the opportunity to discuss regulation of autonomous vehicles with Michael Magee from Waymo. In the 2026 Session, I'll be working to account for these new developments in transportation technology by modernizing our definitions and regulations.
Portland Urban Debate League Summit
It was special to join former student debate leaders and coaches for a reunion and conversation on the importance of this extracurricular program. As a speech and debate coach for over 40 years, I know how debate can transform educational experiences and build lifelong critical-thinking skills. Thank you to the organizers of this meaningful event!
I would like to share some photos with foundational Oregon coaches.
These coaches helped every year at the Glencoe tournament! We always held this event in the third weekend of January.
My two former students June and Jennifer also became speech and debate coaches!
Here is a great memory with my Glencoe students at the Pacific University Debate Tournament. Some of these individuals went on to become interns in my office!
Hillsboro Community Foundation Donates $40K to Bienestar for ICE Impacts
The Hillsboro Community Foundation reactivated its Community Emergency Relief Initiative to direct privately raised dollars to community-based organizations. The Foundation shared that Bienestar, an amazing local organization promoting housing access, will receive a significant donation of $40,000. These funds are to be used for homelessness prevention and rental assistance as families navigate the impacts of ICE on our Washington County economy and immigrant community. Thank you to the Hillsboro Community Foundation for stepping up to provide additional resources as our community navigates this ongoing crisis.
You can read more about this story in the Hillsboro News Times.
Forest Grove Motel Turned Shelter Completed
After four years of hard work, Councilor Brian Schimmel and the team at Centro Cultural have completed their rehabilitation of a former Forest Grove motel into a transitional housing service. This project truly was a labor of love and the facility could not look more wonderful. Great work!
Buddhist Monks’ Cross-Country Peace Walk
Additionally, it has been amazing to watch the group of Buddhist monks walking for peace. Planting seeds for kindness and the peaceful exchange of ideas is so desperately needed in times like this, and I am so heartened by their work.
 
Hillsboro Free Food Market
Every second Tuesday of the month, the Beaverton-Hillsboro DHS offers a Free Food Market to all Hillsboro community members. All are welcome to shop for free, fresh, and healthy fruits, vegetables, and pantry staples. No identification, name, or address needed. Please bring bags or boxes.
WHEN: The second Tuesday of the month, 1:30 to 2:30 PM
WHERE: 5300 NE Elam Young Pkwy, Hillsboro
Forest Grove Second Sunday Maker's Market
Join for a relaxed, cozy indoor market focused on creating a calm and inspired start to the year. This edition highlights makers who specialize in home goods, wellness products, and everyday comforts. Browse candles, décor, handcrafted essentials, skincare, teas, ceramics, textiles, and more from local creatives who bring intention into their craft. This market offers an inviting place to explore and support small businesses.
WHEN: Sun, Jan 11, 2026 , 11:00am-4:00pm
WHERE: Zesti Carts (2131 Yew Street, Forest Grove)
Cornelius Library: Meet the Artist | Conoce al Artista
Our first Meet the Artist(s) of the year showcases the work of our students from Cornelius Elementary and Glencoe High School!
See the creativity of our third graders whose art is inspired by the book Maybe Something Beautiful as they find the beauty in their daily lives and our community. Then see the growth our high schoolers in AP Art, Art 2, Art 3, and Art 4 classes as they explore their inner and outer worlds.
WHEN: Friday, January 9th from 6:30 to 7:30 PM
WHERE: Cornelius Public Library
My office has compiled a list of resources for our community. You can click on the images below to open a document with the relevant links. If you know of a resource that should be included here, or you need a resource and are having trouble finding the information you need, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at rep.susanmclain@oregonlegislature.gov.
EDUCATION RESOURCES
Click here, or on the image to the right for a list of Education-related resources. This includes links to the Forest Grove and Hillsboro School Districts, the Oregon and US Departments of Education, information on how to pay for college, student lunch programs, and much more!
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WILDFIRE-RELATED RESOURCES
Click here, or on the image to the right for important resources related to wildfire prevention and recovery. This list includes links to current fire restrictions and recreation site status maps, the Oregon Department of Forestry's fire prevention tip page, and important resources for wildfire victims.
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RESOURCES FOR OUR VETERANS
Click here, or on the image to the right for a list of important resources for Veterans, including links and phone numbers to the various divisions of the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, local Washington County assistance, supportive and community-based groups like the American Legion, and mental health resources.
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STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Click here, or on the image to the right for links to important local and state government pages, including the Hillsboro, Forest Grove, and Cornelius city government pages. You can also access the Oregon Legislature's page, and other important state agency sites, like the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Unemployment Department, and the Oregon Health Authority.
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Yours truly,
 Representative Susan McLain
House District 29
email: Rep.SusanMcLain@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1429
address: 900 Court St NE, H-493, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/mclain
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